Posting a Rewrite; Delete the Original?

[InBrightestDay]

I apologize if I'm posting this in the wrong forum, but I couldn't really figure out where to go with it.

I'm preparing to post an updated version of my first story, and I got a "feedback" message from somebody (anonymous, mind you), who said that I should delete the original version before posting the rewrite. He was very insistent on this, that the original version must be deleted before the rewrite/update/whatever was put up. He also said I should get a very good editor, which I admit did annoy me somewhat (I know I'm not great, but I hope I'm not that bad).

Normally, being very new here, I would take this fellow's advice and take down my first story, but the story has been up for a while, and something like three dozen people have added it to their favorites, which makes me a bit reluctant, so I figured I'd ask more experienced writers around here. If you post a new version of a story, are you supposed to take down the original?

 

[TxRad]

I apologize if I'm posting this in the wrong forum, but I couldn't really figure out where to go with it.

I'm preparing to post an updated version of my first story, and I got a "feedback" message from somebody (anonymous, mind you), who said that I should delete the original version before posting the rewrite. He was very insistent on this, that the original version must be deleted before the rewrite/update/whatever was put up. He also said I should get a very good editor, which I admit did annoy me somewhat (I know I'm not great, but I hope I'm not that bad).

Normally, being very new here, I would take this fellow's advice and take down my first story, but the story has been up for a while, and something like three dozen people have added it to their favorites, which makes me a bit reluctant, so I figured I'd ask more experienced writers around here. If you post a new version of a story, are you supposed to take down the original?

Resubmit the story with the same title and everything, just like you did the first time but put edit at the end of the title if you can and in the notes field. If you delete the story first, you will lose all votes, views, comments, and favorites. If you do an edit you retain them all.

Good thing you asked, right.

 

[sr71plt]

I don't think so. I think all you need do is submit again with - EDIT - at the end of the title, put the new version in the text block, and, for insurance, note in the note box that this is an edited version of the original. You won't lose any of your comments and ratings/views statistics.

 

[InBrightestDay]

Thanks!

Wow. I am really glad I asked here first!

 

[gentledemands]

Resubmit the story with the same title and everything, just like you did the first time but put edit at the end of the title if you can and in the notes field. If you delete the story first, you will lose all votes, views, comments, and favorites. If you do an edit you retain them all.

Good thing you asked, right.

TX, a friend of mine did that but all the votes and views stayed. Maybe they changed it?

 

[TxRad]

TX, a friend of mine did that but all the votes and views stayed. Maybe they changed it?

Maybe so but why take a chance. That is, if you want to keep the vote, views, comments, and favorites. Some people might want to start with a fresh slate for a major edit.

 

[SevenSquared]

I think it depends how big the edit is though. If you are going through fixing all your grammar mistakes and adding a couple of lines here and there then it should be okay to just edit. But I assume there is a limit on what can qualify as an edit. If you are rewriting and moving scenes and changing key story elements then it might be better to start from scratch.

 

[lovecraft68]

Just tossing this out there.

If you delete a story then come back with a better version of it as a new story, you will lose a lot of votes/comments.

People will see it under new stories and say "Hey, I already read this" and move on so its much better to just edit it.

Odds are the people who have already read it are not going to come back and read it again, so all you're doing is making it better for new readers.

I did this with one of my first stories. I got so tired of the multiple "good story, bad grammar" comments. I put up an edited version

Now I never remove comments so now its funny to see a couple that say "I didn't think the grammar was that bad, what are they talking about"

 

[InBrightestDay]

People will see it under new stories and say "Hey, I already read this" and move on so its much better to just edit it.

Odds are the people who have already read it are not going to come back and read it again, so all you're doing is making it better for new readers.

I did this with one of my first stories. I got so tired of the multiple "good story, bad grammar" comments. I put up an edited version

Admittedly, this is somewhat more complicated. When I first wrote the story, I was in kind of a hurry to get it submitted. It's difficult to explain exactly, but it was almost like something I had to get out of my system. That's not quite a sufficient description, but it's as close as I can get.

Anyway, the grammar was fine as far as I can tell, but several comments went something like "good story, but I felt like there wasn't much buildup." Indeed, I felt I could do better on the backstory between the two characters, so I went back in and got to work. The result is kind of like the extended cut of a movie, if that makes any sense.

However, while this is more than just a grammar edit, I think Lovecraft has a major point, in that people are going to see it in the new stories section and go "Already read it."

By the way, Lovecraft, you're one of my favorite authors on this site, and it's kind of surreal to have you throw your two cents in on my question.

 

[MSTarot]

When I first wrote the story, I was in kind of a hurry to get it submitted. It's difficult to explain exactly, but it was almost like something I had to get out of my system. That's not quite a sufficient description, but it's as close as I can get.

No need to explain. Most of us understand that feeling very well indeed.

"Oh god, I've got to get this out of my head before it explodes!"

LOL.

M.S.Tarot

 

[lovecraft68]

Admittedly, this is somewhat more complicated. When I first wrote the story, I was in kind of a hurry to get it submitted. It's difficult to explain exactly, but it was almost like something I had to get out of my system. That's not quite a sufficient description, but it's as close as I can get.

Anyway, the grammar was fine as far as I can tell, but several comments went something like "good story, but I felt like there wasn't much buildup." Indeed, I felt I could do better on the backstory between the two characters, so I went back in and got to work. The result is kind of like the extended cut of a movie, if that makes any sense.

However, while this is more than just a grammar edit, I think Lovecraft has a major point, in that people are going to see it in the new stories section and go "Already read it."

By the way, Lovecraft, you're one of my favorite authors on this site, and it's kind of surreal to have you throw your two cents in on my question.

Hey thank you!

I always take it as a big compliment to get the attention of a fellow author, be they experienced or just starting.

I felt the same way when Ahabscribe sent me some awesome feedback on one of my first stories.